Valve for internal combustion engine carburetor



Sept. 4, 1956 l. v. ZECK 2,761,647

VALVE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CARBURETOR Filed May 2, 1951 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR [ln L Keck ATTORNEY 4 W M4 W W 8 g m 6 W fi M. uy 4 w m 0 s m w 4 v v w w M M? V] H wwwfiwm/ 2 l 1 w, in: m 32 1 mwSept. 4, 1956 l. V. ZECK VALVE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CARBURETORFiled May 2, 19 51 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 Z W m WV m \llnlrlun WZJ a l a 2 70 0 ,2 JAUW M Hum l- 4 1 8 m ,mo "2 m United States Patent VALVE FORINTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CARBURETOR This invention relates to internalcombustion engine carburetors, and more particularly to a gas load valveassembly therefor.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide means forquickly and accurately adjusting the gas load valve to its properposition when the operator of an internal combustion engine changes fromone type of fuel to another.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for indicatingthe precise setting for a gas load valve when changing from one type ofgas to another.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a gas load valvewhich is non-complex in construction and which is inexpensive tomanufacture and maintain.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following specification when read in conjunction withthe appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, partly in elevation, of a conventionalinternal combustion engine carburetor disclosing a gas load valve andits assembly constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view, partly in section, of the gasload valve and its assembly as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the gas load assembly taken on the lines3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a modification of this invention;and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged exploded perspective view, partly in section, ofthe gas load valve and its assembly as shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 2indicates, in general, a conventional carburetor for an internalcombustion engine. The carburetor comprises a substantially hollowcasing 4 having a laterally projecting hollow boss 6 disposed adjacentits lower end. As is seen in the drawings, the hollow boss 6 isinternally threaded at 8 to provide means for connecting the carburetor2 with a source of fuel. The fuel may be natural gas, butane, propane ora combination of gases,

or other types of gaseous fuel.

The carburetor 2 as illustrated is of a conventional form adapted forthe burning of gaseous fuel as used heretofore, having an air inlet atone side of the mixing chamber 12, at the right in Fig. 1, as indicatedgenerally at 20. The air is adapted to be admitted through the air inletinto the mixing chamber for mixture with the gaseous fuel admitted tothe latter and to be supplied therefrom to the internal combustionengine in the conventional manner.

The boss 6 is in open communication with a gas collecting chamber 10which is connected with the mixing chamber 12 through the open ended gasinlet conduit 14. A venturi 16 is rigidly secured to the inner wall ofthe mixing chamber 12 and is positioned to surround a portion of theupper end 18 of the tube 14.

The conduit 14 is fixedly secured within the'internal boss 22 formedintegrally with the casing 4 and its lower ice end projects into the gascollecting chamber 10 to serve as a valve seat 24 for the gas load valvedesignated in general by the reference numeral 25. A hollow internallythreaded boss 26 is integrally formed in the lower end of the casing 4below boss 22 and conduit 14, and is in coaxial alignment therewith.

As is clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the gas load valve 25 comprises anenlarged cylindrical head 28 which tapers to an end 30 toward the valveseat 24 when disposed in operative position within the carburetor 2. Theother side of the valve head 28 is reduced in diameter to form a shank32 which is, in turn, reduced in diameter to form a stem 34 externallythreaded over substantially its entire length.

As is seen in Fig. 1, the valve stem 34 is threaded through aninternally threaded aperture 36 formed at the base 38 of a guide way 42bored in one end of a bushing 40 to slidably and rotatably receive theshank 32 of the gas load valve 25 therein.

The other end of the bushing 40 is provided with a circumferentialflange 44. A plurality of spaced, radially extending passages 46 arebored inwardly from the periphery of the flange 44, the passages 46communicating at their inner ends with the threaded aperture 36. As isclearly shown in Fig. 2, the passages 46 are threaded at 48 along aportion of their length adjacent the peripheral edge of the flange 44.

A keeper rod 49 of shorter length than the length of the passage 46 isinserted therein and is provided with threads 50 at one end thereof forfrictionally engaging the threaded valve stem 34. The keeper rod 49 isconstantly urged into engagement with the valve stem 34 by means of ahelical spring 52 disposed in the passage 46 and held under compressionbetween the other end of the keeper rod 49 and the adjacent end of anexternally threaded screw 54 which is threaded into the threaded portion48 of the passage 46. The keeper rod 49, the spring 52, and the screw 54cooperate to prevent inadvertent movement of the gas load valve 25 alongthe longitudinal axis of the bushing 40.

The bushing 40 is externally threaded at 56 for engagement with theinternal threads of the boss 26, as shown in Fig. 1.

A ring 58 surrounds the bushing 42 adjacent the flange 44 and has anintegrally formed arm 60 depending therefrom substantially perpendicularto the plane of the ring. Under operating conditions, the ring 58 isclamped in fixed position between the lower end of the boss 26 and theflange 44 to prevent rotation of the arm 60 about the longitudinal axisof the bushing 42. However, it should be noted that the arm 60 may bedisposed at any given angular position about the axis of the valve 25.This facilitates the adaptation of the present invention to a variety ofexisting engines.

A ring 62 having a threaded aperture 64 is threaded on the valve stem 34adjacent the flange 44. The ring 62 is formed with a lug 66 projectingfrom its periphery for engagement with one side of the arm 60 as thering 62 is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the gas load valve 25.An elongated substantially rectangular lock nut 68 having a centralthreaded aperture 70 is threaded on the valve stem 34 and engagesagainst the ring 62 to prevent rotation of the ring 62 about the axis ofthe valve stem 34.

From Figs. 1 and 2, it is seen that the lock nut 68 has a dependingcircular shoulder 72 which is received within the central aperture 73 ofa ring 74. The ring 74 is provided with a lug 76 projecting from itsperiphery for engagement with the other side of the arm 60 as the ring74 is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the gas load valve 25.

A thrust washer 78 having an aperture 80 is mounted on the valve stem 34and is forced upwardly against the ring 74 by a nut 82 thereby clampingthe ring 74 between the adjacent faces of the lock nut 68 and the thrustwasher 78 to prevent rotation of the ring 74 about the longitudinal axisof the valve 25.

The nut 82 has a plurality of slots 84 (see Fig. 3) formed in itsexterior face, any one of which may be aligned with an opening 86 formedin the valve stem 34 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gasload valve 25. A pin 88 is inserted in the aligned slot 84 and opening86 to prevent rotation of the nut 82 relative to the valve stem 34.

Having described this embodiment of the invention in detail, theoperation thereof is as follows:

Let it be assumed that the gas load valve 25 has been adjusted to theposition shown in Fig. 1 to permit the internal combustion engine tooperate at its maximum efliciency and economy, on a fuel having a givenB. t. u. rating, and that the rings 62 and 74 are free to rotate aboutthe valve stem 34. The ring 62 is then turned until the lug 66 engagesone side of the depending arm 60. The lock nut 68 is then threadedupwardly on the valve stem 34 to engage against the ring 62 to preventits rotation relative to the valve stem 34. This establishes the settingfor the gas load valve 25 for the given gaseous fuel.

Now let it be assumed that it is desired to adjust the gas load valve 25for a gaseous fuel having a lower B. t. u. rating. In this case, the gasload valve 25 is turned counter-clockwise by the ring 62 until theproper adjustment is located, whereupon the ring 74 is rotated until thelug 76 engages the arm 60. The nut 82 is then tightened against thethrust washer 78 until the ring 74 is tightly clamped between the locknut 68 and the thrust washer 78. This establishes the setting of the gasload valve 25 for the gaseous fuel having a lower B. t. u. rating thanthe first.

It should now be evident that when it is desired to change from onegaseous fuel to another, the operator may quickly make the necessaryadjustment of the gas load valve 25 by rotating the rings 62 and 74 inone direction or the other until one or the other of the lugs 66 or 76engages the arm 60 depending upon which of the two gaseous fuels is tobe used.

Another advantage of this structure which should now be evident is thatthe relationship between bushing 40 and the abutment carrying ring 58permits temporary increases in the rate of fuel flow in the carburetor,Without disturbing the setting of either of the adjustable lugs 66 and76 on the valve stem 34. When a richer mixture is desired, as instarting, the bushing 40 may be unscrewed slightly from the boss 26 inthe casing 4. Since the abutment 60 is released at the same instant thatthe valve stem 34 begins to turn relative to the casing 4, the abutment60 will simply revolve with the lugs 66 and 76. After the engine haswarmed up, the valve assembly is reset by screwing the bushing 40 backinto the boss 26 and holding the abutment 60 in contact with one of thelugs until it is again clamped between the flange 44 of the bushing 40and the exterior of the casing boss 26.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, elements of thecarburetor shown therein and finding their equivalents in the carburetorillustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, have been assigned identicalreference numerals with the additive of the prime mark.

In this modification, the gas load valve 100 is substantiallycylindrical in configuration and is provided at its upper end with atapered head 102. The gas load valve 100 is threaded at 104 over aportion of its length intermediate its ends, and has a non-threadedsection 106 adjacent its lower end. The lower end of the gas load valveis reduced in diameter to form a shoulder 107 and a collar 108.

A disc 110 is apertured at 112 to be received on the collar 108. Aperipheral lug 114 projects from the disc 110 and is integrally formedtherewith. A boss 116 is integrally formed with the disc 110 and extendsupwardly therefrom at right angles thereto. The boss 116 is providedwith a threading opening 118 therethrough to receive a set screw 120.

A disc 122 is apertured at 124 and is mounted on the collar 108immediately below the disc 110. The disc 122 is provided with anintegrally formed peripheral lug 126.

As is seen in Fig. 4, a thrust washer 128 is apertured at 130 toslidably receive therethrough the threaded shank 132 of a bolt 134. Thebolt 134 is mounted in a threaded opening 136 formed in the lower end ofthe gas load valve 100, the opening being coaxial with the longitudinalaxis ofthe gas load valve 100.

Thus it is seen that when the bolt 134 is tightened, the discs 110 and120 are securely clamped on the gas load valve between the thrust washer128 and the shoulder 107 thereby fixing the positions of the lugs 114and 126 relative to the longitudinal axis of the gas load valve 100.

A stud 138 is fixedly secured in the boss 26 and 'projects downwardlytherefrom into the path-of the lugs 114 and 126.

Having described the component elements of this modification of theinvention, the operation thereof is as follows:

Let it be assumed that the gas load valve 100 has been threaded into theinternally threaded boss 26, and that the position shown in Fig. 4represents an adjusted position of the gas load valve 100 for a givengaseous fuel for an internal combustion engine running at its maximumefliciency.

The operator then rotates the disc until the lug 114 engages one side ofthe stud 138. The set screw is then turned to engage against thenon-threaded section 106 of the gas load valve 100 thereby fixing theradial position of the lug 114 relative to the longitudinal axis of thegas load valve 100.

Having ascertained this position of the gas load valve, and assuming itis proposed to use a second gaseous fuel having a lower B. t. u. rating,the gas load valve 100 is rotated counter-clockwise to a second adjustedposition and the disc 120 is then rotated until its lug 126 engages theother side of the stud 138. The bolt 134 is now tightened to fix theposition of the lug 126 relative to the longitudinal axis of the gasload valve 100, and at the same time locks the discs 110 and 120 on thegas load valve 100 for rotation therewith.

After each adjustment of the gas load valve 100 has been made, the gasload valve is secured in its adjusted position by the lock nut 140mounted on the threaded portion 104 of the gas load valve 100.

It will be understood that the embodiments herein described andillustrated have been offered by way of example, and that this inventionis to be limited only by the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids comprising a fluidconduit, a casing surrounding said conduit and having a threaded openingadjacent an end of said conduit, a bushing threadedly mounted in saidopening and including an enlarged portion of greater diameter than saidopening located outside of said casing, a valve extending through saidbushing into said casing into cooperative relation with said conduit andhaving a threaded stem threadedly engaging said bushng whereby it may bemoved relative to said conduit to regulate the rate of fluid flowtherethrough, an abutment including a ring portion surrounding saidstern adapted to be clamped between said enlarged portion of saidbushing and the exterior of said casing, a first stop member on saidstem adapted to be positioned so that it will contact one side of saidabutment when the valve is in a position permitting a first rate offluid flow, and a second stop member on said stem adapted to bepositioned so that it will contact the other side of said abutment whenthe valve is in a position permitting a second rate of fluid flow,whereby the rate of fluid flow may be quickly and accurately changedfrom said first rate to said second rate.

2. Apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids comprising a fluidpassageway having a threaded opening through one of its Walls, a bushingthreadedly mounted in said opening and having clamping means thereonexteriorly of said passageway, a valve extending through said bushinginto said passageway and having a threaded stem threadedly engaging saidbushing whereby it may be moved relative to said passageway to regulatethe rate of fluid flow therethrough, an abutment including a portionadapted to be clamped between the clamping means on said bushing and theexterior of said passageway, a first stop member on said stem adapted tobe positioned so that it will contact one side of said abutment when thevalve is in a position permitting a first rate of fluid flow, and asecond stop member on said stem adapted to be positioned so that it willcontact the other side of said abutment when the valve is in a positionpermitting a second rate of fluid flow, whereby the rate of fluid flowmay be quickly and accurately changed from said first rate to saidsecond rate by moving said valve stem relative to said bushing andwhereby the rate of fluid flow may be regulated also by moving saidbushing relative to said passageway.

3. Apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids comprising a fluidpassageway having a threaded opening through one of its walls, a bushingthreadedly mounted in said opening and including an enlarged portion ofgreater diameter than said opening located outside of said casing, avalve extending through said bushing into said passageway and having athreaded stem threadedly engaging said bushing whereby it may be movedrelative to said passageway to regulate the rate of fluid flowtherethrough, an abutment mounted so as to allow it to move with saidenlarged portion of said bushing, a first stop member on said stemadapted to be positioned so that it will contact one side of saidabutment when the valve is in a position permitting a first rate offluid flow, and a second stop member on said stem adapted to bepositioned so that it will contact the other side of said abutment whenthe valve is in a position permitting a second rate of fluid flow,whereby the rate of fluid flow may be quickly and accurately changedfrom said first rate to said second rate by moving said valve stemrelative to said bushing and whereby the rate of fluid flow may beregulated also by moving said bushing relative to said passageway.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS499,969 Culver June 20, 1893 973,075 Schlemmer Oct. 18, 1910 1,308,145Church July 1, 1919 1,464,303 Whitelaw Aug. 7, 1923 1,595,619 Reck Aug.10, 1926 1,852,780 Hueber Apr. 5, 1932 1,964,663 Gossler June 26, 19342,010,201 Ruttiman Aug. 6, 1935 2,151,656 Folke Mar. 21, 1939 I FOREIGNPATENTS 206,316 Germany of 1909

